Wintersmith by Shirley Barr

Without Terry Pratchett, this song wouldn’t exist. He created one of my favourite fictional worlds, within which there are many characters that I love, but Tiffany Aching’s is one of my favourite story arcs. This song is inspired by Pratchett’s book of the same name, borrowing lines from the skipping-poem called Things That Make a Man.

I’m not going to tell you anything else. That would be plot-spoiling. If you haven’t read the book, I’d urge you to do so. In fact, you should probably start at the beginning of the Discworld series, to get the full appreciation of all the characters within.

I’m indebted to Terry for the inspiration, and for the endless hours of entertainment lost in his world(s).

This song is for all the Tiffany’s out there. Keep on keeping on, even though it feels huge, and you don’t always want to. Granny Weatherwax would be (quietly) proud.

Wintersmith

Iron enough, to make a nail
But my love, you are so pale
Gold enough, to buy a bean
Yet my love, you cannot see
Phosphor enough, to light a town
Wintersmith, shall I wear your crown?
Shall I come and live, in your palace tall and cold
With my image borne on each flake of snow

Don’t dance with me, Wintersmith
I would be free, Wintersmith
Don’t dance with me, Wintersmith
I would be free

Strength enough, to build a home
To kill the kin of the one you’d own
Freeze them cold, for you have no heart
To fill with love, then break apart
Crafted from lead, ballasts like a weighted bird
You can’t be human from what you’ve learned
You cannot be, so I’ll draw down the sun
Return the balance, a wrong undone

A kiss from me, Wintersmith
A kiss from me, Wintersmith
A kiss from me, Wintersmith
A kiss from me, Wintersmith

Come dance with me, Wintersmith
I would be free, Wintersmith
A kiss from me, Wintersmith
I would be free

Shirley creates songs which are quirky, insightful, and sumptuously layered, melding beautiful melodies with novel lyrics to create soundscapes that leave you wanting more. She finds herself drawn to writing about people and place, often taking inspiration from poetry, folklore, and the natural world.

She is currently working on new music, to be released in 2026.

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